Albino blackbirds. Are they common?

[d0gsb0dy]

I have recently had several sightings of an albino blackbird. It is completely white except for the tips of its wings. Never seen one before. It has a mate which I think is a hen bird, so I assume it's a male. I shall try to get a photograph later this week.
Is this a common phenomenon?

[logman]

I've only ever seen one with a few white tail feathers before, but i remember reading in a magazine (the living countryside i think) that they are quite common in towns but not so much in the countryside as they stand out more to predators.

[kick3m0n]

I live in a small village and we have one (a male I think) who frequents our bird feeder. He's actually very tame, and doesn't move away like the others when you go into the garden. Not sure if this is because he has poor eyesight (common in albino people I think) or if he's just friendly. He's been around for about a year or so now, and seems to have evaded predators quite well so far. He's completely white.

[d0gsb0dy]

Thanks for the replies. I have been told that this particular bird has returned to the same area three years on the run, so he seems to have been quite lucky so far. Hopefullly, I might get a picture some time this week.

[WendyS]

You're lucky to have seen him as I gather they are quite rare. We have a couple of albino badgers in our vicinity but have only seen them twice when they ventured further afield from their territory in the drought to seek worms and other food. Albinos of any variety are often quite vulnerable because of poor eyesight and being attacked by other members of their species so Im sure you're looking after him and putting out food to make his life easier. Will look forward to seeing a photo if you can get one.

[d0gsb0dy]

I'll do my best, Wendy.